My Appalachian Trial I: Three Weddings and a Sabbatical

America’s Appalachian Trail is a beguiling adventure for many hikers, both home-grown and from all corners of the globe. Stretching from Georgia to Maine, taking its travelers on a whimsical journey through national forests and parks, along ridges and over mountains, the AT is the longest hiking-only trail in the world. The Appalachian Trail is physically strenuous and emotionally taxing, involving a commitment of about six months to complete the entire 2,200 miles; only one in four of the people who start in Georgia will actually complete the hike.  

Steve Adams, a retired, overweight, 61-year-old Brit, who had never hiked in his life, decided one day that this was the adventure for him. He was completely unprepared for the myriad challenges that the trail offered him, but took them on with gusto.

This is the first volume of Steve’s epic 2014 thru-hike. It tells the story of the hike from its origins, details his careful preparation and tentative first steps, and follows his faltering progress and eventual growth as a hiker. Often intimate, sometimes profound, and occasionally profane, My Appalachian Trial I explains why Steve was drawn to such an iconic trail, how he embraced it, and what happened when things went wrong.

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Praise for My Appalachian Trial I: Three Weddings and a Sabbatical

Purchased this book after discovering Steve Adams, aka Mighty Blue, through his podcast. I am an avid fan of the Appalachian Trail and Steve reads 1 chapter of his book per podcast. Each chapter was so compelling that I would not wait for a chapter a week, so I ordered the book. The day it arrived I began to sample it by reading a few pages. It was such a page turner that I did not put it down until I had read the complete book. Steve's writing style is suited for the his trail adventure as he relates his adventure so vividly and honestly that the reader feels as though they are hiking beside him. Anyone familiar with the AT would recognize the shelters, trail towns, mountains and significant sections as Steve does an excellent job including them all.
Susan L Clay
Have read about twenty different accounts of people hiking the AT and this is definitely in the top five, his almost painful deprecation of his personality and the examples of why he feels this way are an interesting aside from the usual daily accounts so often found in such reads. He seems truly self aware and honest about himself but it doesn't clutter up his journal - actually adds to it
Martha Gilley
Why would anyone want to walk from Georgia from Maine? Well if the means and opportunity had presented itself, I would now say, me. This is something I can't do; but I can now experience it through the eyes of someone who did, learning more in the process about the author. Steve Adams is an interesting man, with a distinct English sense of humor. Why did I continue to Part II? It was interesting, it was fun, I kept on flipping the pages, I was enjoying myself. It felt as if he was to me on a personal level. Although I already knew, I had to see how it all ended. And I'm glad I did. Thank you Steve.
Donald Czaplinsky
Steve has a gift! His writing, as with his podcasts, provide as much of a real experience in this endeavor as any of the numerous books on the AT that I have read. Thank you Steve! Would love to sit down with you, share a few beers and grin. You are an inspiration to me.....that I can do this too. Onward now to Volume II.
Richard Giles
I just finished reading My Appalachian Trial I: Three wedding and a Sabbatical. I have read dozens of books about backpacking the AT and found this one of my favorites. Mr. Adams not only talks about the hiking, he also speaks about his personal issues with the reader. I already have his sequel book and will start it tonight.
Jeff Miller
Steve writes a funny story. I liked his breezy style. Some Appalachian Trail writers get too caught up in themselves and become......beyond boring. I admire his get up an go. I thought that Brits were stuffy, not Steve. He makes me want to keep turning the page. Can't wait to begin his next book.
Debby Slater
Until I get off my bum and actually hike the trail myself, I'm stuck reading about everyone else. I absolutely love the dry British humor Steve has an injected into this wonderful account. I could not put it down and we'll read the second volume immediately!
Tubahip & Family
I have read at least 10 books on the trail and this book by Steve was one of my favorites. It was not only entertaining, but he very accurately described what it is like for a new hiker to face what must be a daily grind on the trail. As someone that hopes to hike the AT one day, it was a very motivating read. Looking forward to his 2nd book and am just now starting to listen to his podcasts
Thomas R Shimmel
I picked this book up yesterday and put it down this morning . I could not do what Steve did on the AT but thoroughly enjoyed the first half of what was clearly a mentally as well as physically demanding journey vicariously with him . The book is an enthralling and engaging , brutally honest account of a man facing a 2,000+ mile hike and life's mirror . American readers will love his typically British approach to life . This book is really outstanding and I cannot wait to read part two - starting tomorrow . What a brilliant first book .
Tina & Graham Bell
Can’t read just one! Mighty Blue does a wonderful job chronicling his epic journey, he shares his struggles and triumphs on the trail! He was a week behind me on the trail last year, wish I’d met him! This two part story of his first thru hike brought back vivid memories of trail life, challenges and struggles! He is a true word-smith, making you feel like your hiking alongside this stinky vagabond! Well done! Delight yourself more by listening to his Mighty Blue podcast, it was my medicine for post trail depression!
John Van Etten
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